A group from the Maine Air National Guard will head south over the next few days to assist in relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

Maj. Gen. John W. Libby said 11 members of the 101st Air Refueling Wing Medical Group will be deployed as early as Sunday.

Gov. John Baldacci approved the deployment of the team in response to an Emergency Management Assistant Compact request from Mississippi, according to a Department of Defense Veterans and Emergency Management press release.

The Preventative Medical Team will head south with medical equipment and personal, self-sustainment supplies. A KC-135 aircraft will transport the unit from Bangor to Mississippi.

The unit will fall under the 38th Infantry Division command at Camp Shelby, Miss., upon arrival, according to the release. The unit is expected to stay in Mississippi for at least 30 days.

Baldacci hosting dinner to help evacuees

AUGUSTA – It will be a feed so large, it will take an armory to house all the guests.

On Monday Gov. John Baldacci and the American Red Cross chapters of Maine will sponsor a community spaghetti dinner to benefit those who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.

The dinner will feature spaghetti and Momma Baldacci’s sauce, salad, rolls, beverage and dessert. The suggested donation is $5. Baldacci is encouraging everyone who attends to contribute what they can.

As of Friday the response had been “overwhelming,” Baldacci said in a prepared statement. “The people of Maine are quick to help our fellow Americans in their time of need. I’ve seen this spirit echoed all across the state.”

A silent auction will also be held to raise money to help hurricane refugees. Items offered in the auction include: lunch with the governor, a signed Stephen King book, lift tickets to Saddleback, Sugarloaf and Sunday River ski areas, golf at area courses, 100 gallons of fuel oil, and tickets to the Portland Sea Dogs, the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.

Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Augusta Armory, 179 Western Ave. Satellite parking is available at the State House. Trolley transportation will be available, courtesy of the city of Augusta. Two trolley cars will shuttle guests to and from the Maine State Museum to the Armory from 5 to 8 p.m.

– Bonnie Washuk
Free Catholic school tuition

LEWISTON – Young hurricane victims who move to Maine may now attend St. Dominic Regional High School in Auburn, Holy Cross School in Lewiston or any one of 16 other Catholic schools for free.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced Friday that it will waive tuition for students forced to relocate to Maine because of the hurricane. Tuition in Maine’s 18 diocesan schools can cost parents thousand of dollars a year.

Tuition will remain free from the day the student enrolls, “for as long as they need it,” said spokeswoman Sue Bernard.

For more information, hurricane victims should call Sister Rosemary Donohue, superintendent of schools, at 773-6471.

– Lindsay Tice
Local car clubs sponsoring fund-raiser

AUBURN – Local car clubs will sponsor a fund-raiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Roy’s All-Steak Hamburgers on Route 4.

The Knucklebusters and Mavrek cruise clubs have been raising money for the American Red Cross relief fund and will tally the donations after Tuesday’s cruise.

The Knucklebusters has pledged to donate up to $1,500 in matching donations.

– Staff report

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